Tiny Beginnings, Strong Hopes: Caring for Premature Newborns in Albania
At Koco Gliozheni Maternity, dedicated staff and UNICEF support help fragile newborns like Drita’s son survive and thrive
Drita’s son arrived earlier than expected, well before his due date. He was so tiny and delicate, surrounded by wires and warmth inside the incubator. She let out a sigh of relief, happy her baby was alive, watching this fragile life struggle to survive.
"The initial shock was just that-panic over the health and well-being of my son. I worried and- yes, I'll admit it- time after time asked myself what it was that I did during my pregnancy to make the premature birth happen," says the mother.
The Director of the Department of Neonatology, Dr. Alketa Hoxha, has joined us at the maternity. Her staff are dedicated professionals on call day and night, ready to respond to emergencies and provide immediate care. Their commitment goes beyond medical expertise; it represents compassion, resilience, and unwavering support for the infants and their families.
“Health workers of the maternity hospital Koco Gliozheni visit the mother daily and work with her to create a care plan for herself and her baby, ensuring she feels secure. They provide support and a calming environment to meet mothers’ physical and emotional needs in this moment of pain,” explains dr Hoxha.
As our visits ended, Dr. Alketa shared with us the work they do to care for at-risk newborns while promoting breastfeeding and letting all mothers know that only breastfeeding protects and strengthens their babies with nutrients.
Until her baby is removed from the incubator and is stable, Drita continues to feed him with breast milk through a feeding tube.
“I can't wait for the nurse to come and say, ‘Okay, you can hold him now and help him to grow,’ says Drita with a big smile spreading across her face as she places her hands inside the incubator where her son is receiving the treatments he needs.
Through strategic support, UNICEF provides medical equipment for neonatology departments, such as the incubators recently provided thanks to the CREDINS Foundation; assists the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and health institutions in training healthcare workers, developing standard treatment protocols, and ensuring the continuity of healthcare for mothers and children.
